Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says the club are closing in on the signing of a new striker, with progress being made in their search for a number nine.
The Pilgrims have been left short in attack since Ryan Hardie departed for Wrexham in June, but talks over a replacement are advancing.
Striker Search Nears Breakthrough
Cleverley confirmed on Thursday that negotiations to bring in a forward are “progressing nicely,” though it remains uncertain whether a deal will be completed in time for Saturday’s League One clash with Blackpool.
The vacancy in the number nine role has left 22-year-olds Owen Oseni and Bim Pepple leading the line in the early weeks of the season. Both forwards are regarded as long-term projects for the club, but have been required to play significant roles sooner than planned.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Cleverley stressed the importance of securing the right addition.
“We are a lot closer than we were when I last spoke to you. It’s progressing nicely for us. Here in time for the weekend? Not sure, but it’s progressing well,” he said.
Balancing Development and Recruitment
While Oseni and Pepple have been handed opportunities, Cleverley acknowledged the demands placed on them by the squad’s lack of senior striking options.
“Bim and Owen are players we really respect and we brought as projects. They are for the longer term vision of the team and the football club. Now, they have had to be required to perform a lot sooner than we were expecting and that’s because we have not quite got that nine in the building. We are pushing hard, we know how important that position is,” he explained.
Argyle have been active in the market in other areas. This week saw the arrival of Danish defender Mathias Ross on a three-year deal after leaving Galatasaray, while Charlton Athletic centre-back Alex Mitchell also joined on loan. With Conor Hazard edging closer to a return from a knee injury, Cleverley believes the spine of his team is taking shape.
Writer’s View
Argyle’s hunt for a number nine has been the central storyline of their summer, and the pressure is building to secure the right signing before the deadline. Cleverley’s comments offer encouragement that progress is being made, though the uncertainty around timing underlines the delicate nature of transfer negotiations.
The lack of a senior striker has forced younger players into the spotlight, but reinforcements are clearly a priority. With defensive reinforcements already secured and Hazard nearing fitness, landing a proven forward could be the missing piece in Plymouth’s efforts to stabilise their League One campaign.
